The musical “13,” a coming-of-age story focused on a young Jewish boy, will be performed at Theatre in the Park between June 30 until July 8.
The story focuses on Evan Goldman, a boy about to turn 13, who must move from New York City to a small town in Indiana after his parents get divorced. He also is preparing for his bar mitzvah while navigating a new school and popularity pecking order.
Rated PG-13, the musical will have multiple showings. Tickets can be purchased online at theatreinthepark.org or at the theater box office nightly. Curtain time for outdoor productions is 8:30 p.m.; the box office opens at 7 p.m., and the seating bowl opens at 7:30 p.m. Theatre in the Park performs at Shawnee Mission Park, 7700 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS 66217.
For “13,” Theater in the Park is partnering with Jewish Family Services (JFS) to help stock the shelves of its two food pantry locations. Patrons can bring deodorant or toothpaste (full-sized tubes) with them to the theater and receive a coupon for a free box of popcorn. Additional information can be found on the JFS website at jfskc.org.
“We are so excited to partner with [Theatre in the Park] during this production,” said Jo Hickey, JFS director of pantry partnerships. “Finding your way in life can be challenging, and we at JFS are here to support others during their journey.”
With music by Tony-Award winning composer Jason Robert Brown (who won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical) and book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, “13” was also adapted for Netflix last summer.
Theatre in the Park’s iteration of “13” is a premier production, with Amy Sander making her directorial debut with the theater. Sander has directed at various theaters around the region, including The Culture House.
“I have been waiting to direct at [Theatre in the Park] for many years,” Sander said, “and I love working with teenagers, so this particular show was a perfect fit.”
Sander is joined by Matt Richardson as vocal director/conductor and Emmy Hadley and Jackson Tomlin as co-choreographers.
The entire cast of 26 is made up of only regional 12–15 year olds.
“This show is so relatable,” Sander said. “It is fun, silly, lively, cheesy, full of teen angst and so incredibly heart-warming. The best part of the show are the lessons at the end, because we can all learn from them. Loyalty, honesty, trust, friendship, and personal awareness and growth all truly matter... no matter what our age. Differences are not just okay; they are amazing and actually imperative to our world and our communities.”
Following the run of “13,” Theatre in the Park will present two additional musicals this summer: “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” from July 14 to 22 and “Footloose” from July 28 to Aug. 5.
